Road switch for electric garage doors



Jan. 17, 1928. v 1,656,75o

R. V. MORSE Patented Jan. 17, 1928.

UNI TED STA,

R'oiann'fr v. Mon-ss, or rriiaoa, nlw YORK;

RAID SVITCE FR EECTREC GRAGE' DOOES.

Application filed April '25, 1925.

This invention relates'to electric switches, especially in relation. to electric mechanisms for opening or closing garage doors without leaving onels automobile. The object of this invention is tov obtain a simple and serviceable type of switch which can be placed in the drive'way leading` to theV garage, and which will operate satisfactorily over long periods of time in spite of the severe conditions -invol-ving dirt, rain and `snow,-to which such a switch must necessarily be exposed, The switch is normally operated by the wheel of a car passing over it,pwhich not only bring-s dirt and snow, but also exposes the switch to certain driving forces from the power of the wheel which increase the Liculties of the problem. The'object of the present invention is to solve this problem in a reliable and inexpensive manner, in order to extend the field of such devices.

Referring now to the drawing's, Fig. 1 is a transverse cross-section of one illustrative form of the device; and Fig. 2 is a crosssection atV right angles to that shown in Fig. 1, taken'thru the center of Figi.

The mechanism as illustrated in Fig. 1 andFig. 2l consistsof a heavy box frame 1, ordinarily made of cast iron or some other strong and inexpensive material, two sides of this frame l being roundedup toward the top, as shown in Fig. 2, while on the two other sides or ends, as shown in Fig.` 1, the frame 1 does not ordinarily stand up so far, and is rounded so as to provide a pivot or fu'lcrum point for the lid 2 which rests loosely thereon., In the particular form selected las an illustration there are a pair of these lids 2, similarly arranged, and pivoted at either end of the frame 1,'though a larger or smallernumber of lids might be used.

The lidsv 2 area loose fit in the frame 1, both between the sides as shown in Fig. 2, and over the ends as shown in Fig. 1.

This loose fit is an important factor in securing reliable operation under conditions of dirt,-iee and snow, since when an obstruction ,oceurs the mechanism can give instead of bind,'and the mechanism will then continue tov operate under conditions vwhere it would jam ifimore rigid connections were used. 'll/he plates 2 are normally held in place by their weight, being generally rather thick and made ofcast iron or'some similar heavy materia The mechanism can be easily inspiected at any time by merely lifting oif one of/these plates 2 if desired.

Serial No. 25,991.

To carry off rain and dirt a series of sloping roofs is employed, leading anything that may enter downward to the' ground. For example, if rain falls on the form shown, that which falls on the lids 2 will drain off sideways as will be evidentfrom Fig. 1, and that which falls on the thick sides of the frame l shown in Fig. 2 will also drain off. rThe only place that rain can enter is thru the crack between the two lids or between the lids and the sides of the frame. lVhat small proportion of the downpour that falls directly on these cracks is carried downward to the comparatively large spaces within the frame which are open to the ground.

Ezrtending across'the middle of the frame l is a cross-piece 4, which supports the electric push button 7 considerably above the level of the ground. rl`he push button 7 is connected to the electrical mechanism to be controlled by means of the leads 9. In order to positively operate the button 7 whenever a heavy pressure is applied to the lid 2, and at thesame time to insure against any pos*- sibility of overloading the button 7 so as' to crush it, the following means is provided.-

`A spring` 6, lying in'a groove in the crosspiece lt, is looped around so as to have a pair of free ends which may bear upon the button 7; and the load of the lid 2 is applied to the springl 6 ata point 3 nearer the fulcrum or support of the spring, where the carrying capacity of the spring is greater. A slight motion at the'point 3 means a large motion of the tip of the spring where it bears'on thebutton 7. Thus the button 7 Vis positively operated, and at the same time the' pressure on the button is of a soft, yielding lcharacter, being applied by the free end of the flexible spring 6, so that the button ,cannot be damaged. In addition to this feature, any excessive movement of the lids 2 is prevented by their coming in contact with heavy ironstops 8,' which then take the direct load and prevent the spring G from being overloaded.

The cross-piece 4 is provided with ridges 5 which keep the spring 6 in place, and drainag'e Channels are cut thru these ridges 5 which drain off any water which may work in, and also provide openings for the electrical conductors 9. In addition a strip of thin sheet copper 10 is generally laid on top of the spring 6 but under the points: 3, forming the initial surface which anything coming thru the crack between the lids 2 will strike. This Sheet of copper, being flexible, soon conforms itself to the adjacent elements, and eifectively shields the spring 6 'and elements below. In some cases another thin strip of copper ll is laid loosely within the spring 6 between the' button 7 and the I will be out of sight. The top of the structure projects sufticiently high above the ground to insure that'a driver will feel a gentle bump when he runs on it, this feature facilitating Vthe use of the switch in the dark. In operation the plate 2 is depressed by the weight of a wheel of a car, or' other heavy load, and 'depresses the spring 6 which operates the electric switch 7 as described. When the car rolls off and the heavy load is removed, the spring '6= is sufficiently powerful to raiseV the lid 2 again, thus lifting the tip of the spring ,6 from the push button 7 andV opening the electric circuit. The spring 6 may be madje sufficiently strong soV that the device cannot be operated'by the'weight of dogs or children.

' In case only one lid is used instead of two, it would of ,course preferably extend entirely across the frame 1, which would throw the spring and switch mechanism over to one'side.V In the'foregoing specification one embodiment ofthe invention has been described by way of illustration. It will be understood however that the invention is not limited to the particular structure therein shown, but may have various modifications to adapt it to difierent installations, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The particular arrangement shown is merely one illustration; and the lessential features and combinations which constituteV the invention are embodied in the following claims.

I claim: 1 o i l. In an electric switch mechanism, the combination of a. frame rounded toward the top, a lid loosely j ointed to the frame so that it may give rather than bind when obstructed, and by shifting laterally may relieve the pressure of an obstacle which would otherwise jam in a crack, an electric switch of the self-r'eleasing type, and yielding spring means between the lid and the switch arranged so as lto multiply the motion of the lid and operate the switch.

2. 'In an electric switch mechanism, the

combination of a frame rounded toward the top, a lid loosely jointed to the frame so that it may give rather than bind when obstructed and by shifting laterally may relieve the pressure of an obstacle whichV would otherwise gain in a crack, an electric switch of the self-releasing type, and a yielding spring means between thelid and the switch arranged so as to multiply the motion ofthe lid and operate the switch, and another point of support arranged to come in contact with the lid when it is fully depressed'so as to crack, an electric switch 'of the self-releasmg type, and yielding spring means between the lid and the switch arranged Vso aS to multiply the motion of the lid and operate the switch.

4. In an electric combination of a frame, a lid loosely'jointed to said frame, anelectric switch of the selfreleasing type, a memberconnected to said frame and arranged toV support said switch switch mechanism, theV so that its contact points will be at a level above the bottom of said frame, drainage channels from said member arrangedV to carry oifany water that might fall upon said switch, yielding means between said lid and said switch arranged to operate said switch when the lid is depres'sed, and supplemental means for carrying the load on the lid when it has become excessive.

5. In an electric switch mechanism, the combinationv of a frame, a pair of lids'pivotally mounted and loosely jointed near opposite endsof the frame and extending toward the middle, a spring arranged to support the free ends' of the lids, a switch of theV selfreleasing type arranged to be operated by the depression of'the lids, means for supporting said switch above the level of the bottom of ,the frame, said frame having openings by which any water that may fall on the switch will drain off to a lower level.

6. In an electric switch mechanism, the combination of a frame, a pair ofrlids pivotally niounted near opposite ends of the frame and extending toward the middle, the lids having grooves at their pivoted ends which fit over ridges of the frame forming a fulcrum about which theflids may oscillate, the lids being rem'ovable by lifting from the ridges and being held in place by their weight, a spring supporting the other end of the lids, limit stops to prevent the spring from being overloaded, a switch of the selfreleasing type arranged to be operated by the deiection of the spring, and a Shield extending over th'e switch but below the lids. ing said lid, a switch of the sel-releasing In an electric switch mechanism, the type ari'anged to be operated by the depi'es- 10 combination of a frame and a lid having a sion of the lid by a superimposed load, and loose tongue and groove connection about a limit stop arranged to limit the depression which the lid may oscillate, the lid being reof the lid under load.

movable by lifting from the tongue and In Witness Wh'ereof I have hereunto set groove connection and being held in place my hand this 23d day of April, 1925.

by its Weight, a yi'elding member support- ROBERT V. MORSE. 

